Some of these songs have gone down in the history books for breaking records and reaching new heights. Others might have been terribly received by critics, but are still adored by the masses to this day. There might even be a few underrated goodies that you've never heard of.

We took the songs with the highest ratings, biggest sales, most awards, and top ranks on radio charts and included them alongside some of our newsroom's favorite picks to create a definitive list of the 100 songs everyone should listen to in their lifetime.

"That's Alright" by Elvis Presley

The man, the myth, the legend.
NBCUniversal/Getty

"The number features Elvis and his original guitarist, Scotty Moore, in a great stomping rock 'n' roll throw down that shows what a wild thing that music was in the very beginning. Always blows my mind," Business Insider's Matthew DeBord says.

"An American Elegy" by Frank Ticheli

Frank Ticheli (R) and student.
Wikimedia Commons

Ticheli described the song as such: "'An American Elegy' is, above all, an expression of hope. It was composed in memory of those who lost their lives at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999, and to honor the survivors. It is offered as a tribute to their great strength and courage in the face of a terrible tragedy. I hope the work can also serve as one reminder of how fragile and precious life is and how intimately connected we all are as human beings."

"Every Breath You Take" by The Police

The Police's Sting.
Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images

It's number 84 on Rolling Stone's "500 greatest songs of all time list," one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's "songs that shaped rock and roll" and sits at number 25 on Billboard's Hot 100 all time top songs.

"There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" by The Smiths

Morrissey of The Smiths.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images

"'There Is A Light That Never Goes Out' is everything that's so wonderful about The Smiths packed into slightly over four minutes of music. It's the quintessential Smiths song. Lyricist Morrissey is at his ingenious best, taking the morbid image of a lovesick subject being squashed by a HGV and turning into one of the most poignant and memorable declarations of affection in the history of pop," says Business Insider UK's Adam Payne.

"Bonita Applebum" by A Tribe Called Quest

"To me, it's not only one of the greatest hip-hop love songs, but also one of the great love songs period. It's a flirty, subtle ode to that special someone with the use of jazz funk in the background," INSIDER's Corina Pintado says. "Absolute perfection!"

"Tusk" by Fleetwood Mac

"'Tusk' is everything: beautiful, intense, creepy, sexy, catchy, and a perfect song for any mood. It has made me laugh, and it has made me cry. The first time I heard the live version when I was 19 I didn't shut up about it for, like, twelve weeks. It was super annoying, but hopefully I changed some lives," Business Insider's Carrie Wittmer says.

"The Middle" by Jimmy Eat World

Jimmy Eat World at 2017's SXSW.
Vivien Killilea/Getty Images

This coming-of-age song is one of T-Swift's favorites.

"I remember listening to this on the bus to school. I felt comforted by it, because I never felt like I really fit perfectly into any clique at school. I wish every kid who goes through those same feelings of loneliness could hear how Jim Adkins sings, 'Don't you worry what they tell themselves when you're away,'" she told Rolling Stone.

"Cannonball" by Damien Rice

Damien Rice
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

This is another celeb favorite.

"Seeing Damien Rice perform when I was 11 changed my life forever," Ed Sheeran said to Rolling Stone. "After seeing him play this small club in Ireland, I was able to meet him, and he was unbelievably cool. I went straight home and started writing songs. I would not be doing what I'm doing now if he'd been a jerk."

"Outro" by M83

Anthony Gonzalez of M83 performing.
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

"There aren't many lyrics, but in a short verse it portrays the idea you own your life and can make whatever you want out of it. Plus, the instrumentation is epic," says Business Insider's Maddie Bensinger.

"Oh Comely" by Neutral Milk Hotel

"This song is a roller coaster. It perfectly captures the album with the mix of innocence, raunchiness, hope, and resignation. The imagery and flow of the lyrics is fantastic and it wouldn't be a Neutral Milk Hotel song without some powerful brass," INSIDER's Lyndsey Schley says.

"Changes" by David Bowie

The late, great David Bowie performing in 2002.
Scott Gries/Getty Images

"The lyrics are always relevant — it's about moving forward and realizing that you become a different person as you get older, and you won't always want the same things and that's ok," say INSIDER's Natalie Fennell.

"Piece of My Heart" by Janis Joplin

The original version was recorded by Aretha Franklin's sister, Erma Franklin, but Joplin's track made Rolling Stone's list of "The 500 greatest songs of all tim," and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's "500 songs that shaped rock and roll."

"All of My Days" by Alexi Murdoch

Alexi Murdoch.
Wikimedia Commons

The album this song is on, "Time Without Consequence," is one of the most licensed albums of the decade. This song and others from the album, including "Orange Sky," have been in "The O.C.," "Grey's Anatomy," "House," "Prison Break," and "One Tree Hill," to name a few.

"To Zion" by Lauryn Hill

Singer and songwriter Lauryn Hill performing at the Amnesty International Concert.
Theo Wargo/Getty Images for CBGB

"She talks about the uncertainty she felt while being pregnant and the happiness after she had her first son, Zion. I just love how she expresses her love for her first child. You can truly feel it in the song," says INSIDER's Arius Bevins.

"Respect" by Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin in action.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images

For one of the final choices, a personal favorite and an anthem of the feminist movement. Not only is it empowering, it's also fifth on Rolling Stone's "500 greatest songs of all time," and one of the 500 songs that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame says shaped rock 'n' roll.

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